[Federal Register: June 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 115)] [Notices] [Page 32253-32254] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr16jn99-88] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains from Connecticut in the Possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA AGENCY: National Park Service ACTION: Notice ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, of the completion of an inventory of human remains from Connecticut in the possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Indian Tribe. In 1870, human remains representing one individual were donated to the Peabody Museum by Alfred Hersey of Westerly, RI. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Correspondence from the donor indicates these human remains were ``exhumed from a grave in an old burying ground of the Pequot Indians.'' Although Peabody Museum documentation lists the geographic location of the human remains as ``Westerly, Rhode Island'' due to the postmark on the collector's correspondence, there is no information that the remains actually came from that location. Based on the copper staining on the human remains, these human remains have been determined to date to the contact/early historic period (post-1614). Consultation evidence presented by representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe indicates that in about 1870, the Fanning Road cemetery in Ledyard CT, a known historic burial area of the Mashantucket Pequot was looted. The cultural attribution of the burial area given by the donor, combined with the historic date of the human remains, the donation date of the human remains, and the date of looting of the historic Fanning Road burial area of the Mashantucket Pequot indicates that these human remains most likely came from the Fanning Road cemetery. In 1923, human remains representing two individuals from Stonington, CT were donated to the Peabody Museum from Brown University, RI. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Museum documentation indicates these human remains were collected on an unknown date by Reverend Frederick Denison. In 1871, Denison donated his collection of Native American cultural material to the Jenks Museum at Brown University. Museum records and copper staining on the human remains indicate the remains were interred sometime during the early historic period or later (post-1614 A.D.). Oral tradition and historic documentation support that the geographic area of Stonington is within [[Page 32254]] the aboriginal and historic homeland of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. In 1937, human remains representing one individual from Ecclestone Site, Mystic, CT were donated to the Peabody Museum from the Department of Archaeology at Philips Andover Academy in Andover, MA. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. These human remains were collected in 1922 as part of an expedition by Warren King Moorehead. Museum documentation indicates that Moorehead was specifically investigating Native American burial grounds on this expedition. Museum records indicate the individual was interred sometime during the contact/early historic period (post-1614 A.D.). Oral tradition and historic documentation supports the Ecclestone site as being within the aboriginal and historic homelands of the Mashantucket Pequot Indians. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. In 1937, human remains representing one individual from Norwich, CT were donated to the Peabody Museum from the Department of Archaeology at Philips Andover Academy, Andover, MA. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present. These human remains were collected in 1922 as part of an expedition by Warren King Moorehead. Museum documentation indicates Moorehead was specifically investigating Native American burial grounds on this expedition. Museum records indicate this individual was interred sometime during the contact/early historic period (post-1614 A.D.). Oral tradition and historic documentation support the conclusion that the geographic area of Norwich falls within the aboriginal and historic homelands of the Mohegan Indian Tribe. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and the Mohegan Indian Tribe. This notice has been sent to officials of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Indian Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Barbara Isaac, Repatriation Coordinator, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138; telephone: (617) 495-2254, before July 16, 1999. Repatriation of the human remains to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Indian Tribe may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this notice. Dated: June 10, 1999. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager,Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 99-15254 Filed 6-15-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F